Jay-Z Exits the Top 10, Ryan Leslie Moves 12K in First Week

With no new rap releases this week, hip-hop is hard to find on the The Billboard 200’s top 40. And to add insult to injury for the first time in nine weeks, Jay-Z has finally fallen from grace.

The Brooklyn legend’s latest disc, The Blueprint 3, slid five spots to no. 15 on this week’s charts. BP3 moved 38,000 units this week, bringing its total tally to 1,238,200, according to the Nielsend SoundScan report.

Five spots below is the Black Eyed Peas with their newest album, The E.N.D. In week 22, fans of the group bagged up an additional 28,100 CD, making BEP’s overall sales figures stand at 1,328,00.

R&B crooner Ryan Leslie debuted this week with his sophomore disc Transition. The producer/singer/songwriter/hip-hop hookman landed at the no. 50 position in his first week selling 11,900 units.

Next week look for XXL freshman alum Wale to impact the charts. —Elan Macini